Hello lemmings lemmons and any other lemm out there. I’ve always wanted to try to switch to more privacy focused options but it’s always been difficult for me as I’m not really tech savvy and frankly for a very long time haven’t really cared about privacy.
Transitioning has also been hard since I feel like I’m pretty much the antithesis of this community: using an iPhone and 2 windows computers (one for home use and one for my college classes on campus) and use OneDrive to sync work between the 3 devices.
Pretty much every account I have is under my gmail account and a second back up email is also under gmail.
Frankly I’m sure this is the highest form of insult to this community but I use edge simply because I’ve given up trying to fight Microsoft
So it’s been a challenge to switch but for browsers and just copy paste all my bookmarks and saved passwords when I download Firefox on my phone and computers but as for email and online accounts switching off that gmail account seems daunting but not impossible and I have no idea what to do to replace OneDrive since it is useful and works in file explorer with no extra software
I figured if anyone was smart enough to tackle the abomination that is my privacy it’d be you guys
Email, Calendar, Cloud storage, and VPN all Free* and Open Source.
*Free as in Freedom. While they do have free priced tiers, you do have to pay for more storage, more VPN servers, etc. Free still worth it IMO.
So proton.me is essentially everything and I can use without paying as long I delete old stuff
Essentially, yes!
I took a brief peek at it and it actually looks good
I’m assuming you have experience with it
I might keep my Gmail account around for things like a backup email or super important Stuff like my bank account
You’ve got it backwards, my dude. I’d get your data off of google’s servers. They own everything that hits their servers, including your data.
Protonmail is a solid option. Tutanota is another great second email option that I use. There are others.
If you’re even moderately techy, consider setting up a private cloud on Oracle’s servers for free in their free teir program. You can self-host your own nextcloud, with all the apps included. Edited to add, there are tutorials for this available, which is why I mention it
Yeah your right about google lol. I’m just not ready to dive into the deep end of privacy, heck the only reason I’m going through all this is because I think it’s just a good practice. I’m totally gonna switch once I get more settled into things
As for proton I’m still testing the waters. I can’t edit files in proton drive which isn’t a deal breaker just mildly inconvenient but it’ll definitely hold me over until I can find something that private and can edit files (If such a thing even exists)
But I super appreciate the recommendations super helpful I’m just not ready to dive in the deep end when the very thought of swimming makes me uneasy
I’m still getting settled and DeGoogling (or I guess in my case DeMicrosofting) myself is gonna be a process but now that I have this post and all the information with it my transformation will begin
That makes sense! It’s a constant effort, not a one time thing, to maintain our privacy. It comes in layers. No need to focus much on my previous comment about self-hosting.
Like I said I’m just dipping my toes in right now and I’m doing this more out of practice and less that I’m worried about data (which sounds odd Ik) but eventually I’m planning on being more secure but for now I’m just looking around and seeing what’s what
Also side note. Do they have iOS apps (which I’m assuming will sync between my 2 windows computer) or will I just have to make a web shortcut
They offer iOS apps for Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar and VPN